History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c33.s3.31

v2.c33.s3.31

The Shwe-Dagôn pagoda, like all the more important ones, is fabled to have been commenced about 2300 years ago, or about the era of Buddha himself ; its sanctity, however, is owing to its containing relics, not only of Gaudama, the last Buddha, but also of his three predecessors—Buddha having vouchsafed eight hairs of his head to its two founders, on the understanding that they were to be enshrined with the relics of the three former Buddhas, where and when found.¹ After numerous miraculous indications, on this spot were discovered the staff of Kakusandha, believed to have lived some 3000 years B.C., the water-dipper of Konâgamana, and the bathing garment of Kassapa, which, with the eight hairs above mentioned, are enshrined within this great pagoda.² Originally, however, notwithstanding the value of its deposit, the building was small, and it is not more than a century and a half since it assumed its present form.